Life of human-beings is a journey and if continued with enthusiasm and optimism, it can be and must be more pleasant than the destination. Hindi movies have given several good songs related to journey which are full of enthusiasm, optimism and hope. I have included some of them in this review according to my subjective choice. The mode of journey can be any (even foot). It’s the spirit of travelling which is important. Here is the list of my favourite journey songs from Hindi movies –

1. Hum Jo Chalne Lage, Chalne Lage Hain Ye Raaste, Ahaha … Manzil Se Behtar Lagne Lage Hain Ye Raaste (Jab We Met – 2007) : Despite being a lover of old songs, I consider this relatively recent song as my numero uno favourite journey song. It’s underrated and less popular than the other chartbuster songs of this movie but it’s very close to my heat. It’s full of optimism and hope for life and a philosophy to enjoy the journey and the pleasant path instead of worrying about the destination. I personally believe – ACCEPT THE LIFE AS IT UNFOLDS. And this song conveys the same message. Picturized on Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor in the beautiful locales of Kota-Boondi and nearby towns of Rajasthan, it’s a pleasure to listen and to watch. The lyric of Irshad Kamil has been composed by Preetam and sung by Shaan and Ustaad Sultan Khan.

3. O Maanjhi Re, Apna Kinaara, Nadiya Ki Dhaara Hai (Khushboo – 1975) : Another beautiful song with the same lyricist, composer, singer and actor with the only difference that the previous song was picturized on Jeetendra in a tonga (horse-cart) whereas this song has been picturized on him in a boat.

7. Main To Chala Jidhar Chale Rasta (Dharkan – 1972) : A journey song which is very close to my heart. Prem Dhawan’s lyric has been composed by Ravi. Kishore Kumar has given his voice to Sanjay (Khan) for this song.

8. Geet Gaata Chal O Saathi Gungunaata Chal (Geet Gaata Chal – 1975) : A highly popular journey song picturized on teenager hero, Sachin. The beautiful lyric and the melodious composition have been created by Ravindra Jain and Jaspal Singh has sung it.

9. Raah Bani Khud Manzil (Kohra – 1964) : A beautiful journey song sung and composed by Hemant Kumar. Legendary Shaayar – Janaab Kaifi Aazmi has penned this lyric and the picturization has taken place on Biswajeet and Waheeda Rehman.

10. Kaun Disa Mein Le Ke Chala Re Batuhiya (Nadiya Ke Paar – 1982) : A heart-warmingly romantic journey song which has been picturized on Sachin and Saadhna Singh who have been given voice by Jaspal Singh and Hemlata. Lyricist-cum-composer is Ravindra Jain.

12. More Sainyaji Utrenge Paar Ho Nadiya Dheere Baho (Uran Khatola – 1955) : A journey song in a boat picturized on Nimmi alongwith Dilip Kumar and Surya Kumari. Naushad has composed the lyric of Shakeel Badayuni and the singer is Lata Mangeshkar.

13. O Gaadi Waale Gaadi Dheere Haank Re (Mother India – 1957) : A memorable song sung by Shamshad Begum and Mohammad Rafi and picturized on Sheela Naik, Sunil Dutt and others. It’s a beautiful song picturized with the use of bullock-carts and horses watching which is a highly pleasant experience. Naushad has composed the lyric of his favourite lyricist – Shakeel Badayuni.

16. Aadmi Musafir Hai, Aata Hai, Jaata Hai (Apnapan – 1977) : It’s actually a philosophical song picturized on Sudhir Dalvi and Nivedita Saraaf (Jeetendra and Sulakshana Pandit are also in the scene) in a running bus. The meaningful lyric of has been penned by Anand Bakshi, composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal and Rafi and Lata have sung it.

19. O Nadiya Chale Chale Re Dhara, Chanda Chale Chale Re Tara, Tujhko Chalna Hoga (Safar – 1970) : A great philosophical song as well as nature-based song which is able to inspire the demoralized souls within moments. Indeevar has penned the great lyric which Kalyanji Anandji have composed. Manna De has sung it for the actor playing the boatman. Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore are also a part of the scene.

20. Seemayen Bulaayen Tujhe Chal Raahi (L.O.C. – Kargil – 2003) : A patriotic song signifying the journey of the Indian soldiers towards the nation’s borders to perform their duty to safeguard them with the loving ones missing them in their absence. I have included it here simply because it’s very close to my heart and listening to it always fills me with patriotic feelings and relation-based sentiments. Penned by Javed Akhtar and composed by Anu Malik, this song has been sung by Alka Yagnik with chorus in male voices and picturized on the various heroes and heroines of the movie.

In addition to these top twenty, the following journey songs are also very dear to me :

6. Do Panchhi Do Tinake Kaho Le Ke Chale Hain Kahaan (Tapasya – 1976) : A touching song which is a duet by Aarti Mukherjee and Kishore Kumar picturized on Raakhee Gulzaar and Parikshit Saahni in a car. M.G. Hashmat’s words have been strung by Ravindra Jain in the melodious tune.

12. Main Chali Main Chali, Peechhe Peechhe Jahaan (Professor – 1962) : A popular Lata-Rafi romantic duet performed by Kalpana and Shammi Kapoor on the screen. Hasrat Jaipuri has penned the words and Shankar Jaikishan have prepared the melody.

13. Duniya Ki Sair Kar Lo (Around The World – 1967) : A journey song sung by Mukesh and Shaarda and picturized on Raj Kapoor and Rajshree, penned by Hasrat Jaipuri and composed by Shankar Jaikishan.

14. Aha Aha Aa … Yeh Suhaana Safar (Suhaana Safar – 1970) : A journey song full of jolliness which Rafi has sung for Shashi Kapoor. The credit for the lyric goes to Anand Bakshi and for the tune goes to Laxmikant Pyarelaal.

15. Raah Pe Rehte Hain (Namkeen – 1982) : A touching journey song picturized on Sanjeev Kumar who is a truck-driver. It’s an underrated song of Kishore Kumar whose lyrics have been penned by Gulzaar and composed by R.D. Burman.

I am also giving some songs which do not speak of journey in their lyrics but which have been made a part of a journey scene only in the concerned movies :

1. Apni To Har Aah Ek Toofan Hai (Kaala Baazaar – 1960) : Dev Anand sings for Waheeda Rehman in the train who is on the upper berth of the coach. A very entertaining song of Rafi, penned by Shailendra and composed by S.D. Burman.

2. Akela Hoon Main Is Duniya Mein (Baat Ek Raat Ki – 1962) : A song of Rafi, picturized on Dev Anand, penned by Majrooh and composed by S.D. Burman. I personally like this song very much.

4. Kaun Hai Jo Sapno Mein Aaya (Jhuk Gaya Aasmaan – 1968) : A great romantic song of Rafi which Rajendra Kumar sings while travelling by car. Hasrat Jaipuri’s lyric has been strung by Shankar Jaikishan in the melodious composition.

5. ABCDEFGHI (Hum Saath Saath Hain – 1999) : A hilarious family song full of jolliness, enjoyment and love, sung by Hariharan, Hema Sardesai, Udit Narayan, Shankar Mahadevan and Saif Ali Khan which has been picturized on different heroes and heroines of the movie. Ramlaxman has composed Raj Kiran’s lyric. It was the favourite song of my little daughter, my wife and myself when this movie was released.